A new package of measures to deliver on the Government’s
manifesto pledge to continue supporting the development of
British shale gas was announced today as part of the modern
Industrial Strategy, by Energy and Clean Growth Minister
and Secretary of State for
Housing, Communities and Local Government . The Written
Ministerial Statement can be found here.
The package includes:
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· Streamlining
and improving the regulation process for
shale applications to ensure decisions are made in a
timely way and developers and local authorities are supported
through the process. This will include setting up a Shale
Environmental Regulator and new Planning Brokerage
Service which would focus exclusively on the
planning process and will have no role in the consideration or
determination of planning applications. The service will not
comment on the merits of a case and will also have no role in the
appeals process.
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· Launching
a new £1.6 million shale support
fund over the next two years to build capacity and
capability in local authorities dealing with shale
applications.
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· Holding a
consultation on the principle of whether non-hydraulic fracturing
shale exploration development should be treated
as permitted development, and in particular
on the circumstances in which this might be appropriate.
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· Consulting
on the criteria required to trigger the inclusion of
shale production projects into the Nationally Significant
Infrastructure Projects regime.
Energy and Clean Growth Minister said:
“British shale gas has the potential to help lower bills and
increase the security of the UK’s energy supply while creating
high quality jobs in a cutting-edge sector. This package of
measures delivers on our manifesto promise to support shale and
it will ensure exploration happens in the most environmentally
responsible way while making it easier for companies and local
communities to work together.”
